We are Family...

I've been musing on the topic of family lately. How you are still connected, whether you ring each other every day, week, or once a year on birthdays (when the birthday person is usually out celebrating and misses your call!). Technology has helped families stay in touch more often and more easily - blogs, g-mail chat, texts, e-mails....but some feel this is no replacement for a live chat. I always feel that extended family are close to me, as we just pick up where we left off when we catch up. I guess that years of growing up under the same roof makes an indelible connection. My immediate family (Paull & Eliza) are a great source of pride, friendship and support for me - I enjoyed every bit of parenting them towards adulthood. Of course, there are inevitable clashes in families, but your love and kinship pulls you through those. I also love the way that our little family of three opens up and includes a variety of friends - as my fridge magnet says "Friends are the Family we choose for ourselves" (very wise, fridge magnets, I find.......)

I Still Call Australia Home..........

Nervous Mum, slightly teary Eliza, my sister Anne putting "Rescue Remedy" on my tongue - then off to the International Airport. Tears in my eyes when he said goodbye to the dogs. Then a long coffee and cake session after check-in during which we talked about the new life waiting for him in New York. Hugs, kisses, then through the "door of no return". I didn't cry for long! Thanks to Skype, blogging and e-mail we'll not lose touch. Parent/child blogging is the subject of Trevor Cook's post on http://trevorcook.typepad.com. This generation of kids will be citizens of the world - and social media will keep them connected.